Tranny swap touble

[MUNYPIT70]

Halfway through the swap, I realized that yes, Chevy made bellhousings and transmissions with more than one bolt pattern (tranny-to-bell, not bell to block). I'm replacing a "granny" 4 with a smaller, overdrive unit that I scavenged from a 1981 van. I thought it was rather unusual to find one with the shifter on the side and reverse in the same place as the old grannys, but what the heck? Anyway, I must have ran across the only one ever made with a different bolt pattern, because nobody has even ever seen one, let alone have one for sale! The right side (anatomically speaking of course) is the same old same, but the left side bolt holes are close to the center and spread apart further than normal. Anybody know where a guy could find such an animal?

[djracer]

Welcome to the board here's a Bump for you!


Kevin

[69_hafton]

early np-a833 bell housing casting #:

HI 14061655

I called about these at a GMC dealer and was told still available -
for about $300

but there aren't any other options for the early cast iron casing a833's

it's half mopar / half chevy bolt pattern


This should look familiar:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/gmc-c...02093939QQrdZ1

[69_hafton]

the thread kinda falls apart toward the end, but there's some good info here:

Inliners.org thread on the a833

[MUNYPIT70]

Yes, the pic is the same bolt pattern, except mine is the later model with an aluminum housing. I was told a 3-speed bell would work, is this true? Also, on the thread you sent, one guy said it would directly replace a '66 3-speed. I'm wondering if he meant the entire thing including the bell? Anywho, glad I'm not needing to drive my truck (other than I miss the HP!) Thanks again, Neil M.

[69_hafton]

If you have the same bolt pattern as the first pic I posted, then you need the special aluminum bell housing that I posted the casting # for.

I thought all the aluminum cased a833's had the GM bolt pattern like this:

[MUNYPIT70]

I wish! Thanks again!

[MUNYPIT70]

You're crawlin' with those things!

[69_hafton]

Only the first one is mine - the one with the 1/2 and 1/2 bolt pattern.
I've been looking at doing this for a while now, but I keep hoping to find one with the chevy pattern so I can retain the bell off my four speed.

Once I rebuild the one I've got, I'll be committed!

[MUNYPIT70]

You know, you may be right about the aluminum case bolt pattern. I was looking at mine earlier and the case just may be cast iron. It's just real silver, like the aluminum, not rusty like typical cast iron. It's also not very heavy. What kind of shifter you have for yours?